Tuesday, April 29, 2008

We had a great day yesterday, despite the clouds and rain. We didn't realize it ahead of time, but Monday was also a 'free' day, other than the welcome dinner, but more of that later.What to do at Hilton Head when the weather is dreary? Well, we could have rented bicycles and rode up and down the beach, but we didn't. We went shopping!I really don't like clothes shopping. In fact, I hate it. Which is probably why I have a pathetic wardrobe. But not anymore! We found an awesome TJMaxx, and an even awesomer Outlet Mall. I have to say, I turned into a Shopping Diva yesterday. Total haul: 8 pairs of shoes, 2 dresses, 2 skirt/top sets, 4 camis, 1 t-shirt, 1 white sweater and 2 pairs of capris! I think I am set for my summer wardrobe. (Do Ya think?!) Oh, and a Kitchen Aid rolling pin that was 75% off, and Villeroy and Boch mugs that were also 75% off. Those shoes that I bought? Naturalizer, 80% off! I couldn't believe it! How could I leave a deal like that behind?With all of our shopping excitement, we lost track of time and arrived nearly 2 hours late for the welcome dinner. There were no seats left, except for these two seats at a round table, so we invited ourselves. Turns out that we invited ourselves to sit at the head table with the owner, CEO, and President of the company! Oh my. We turn up late, bedraggled (we got caught in the rain) and wearing our shopping clothes and end up sitting with these folks. We had no idea initially, so once again, ignorance is bliss. They were extremely nice, and the owner of the company seemed so pleased to meet us, he kept thumping me on the arm, and slapping me on the back. (on second thought, maybe he wasn't pleased, as it was quite possible he was trying to knock my arm out of it's socket!) Dinner was delicious. I had crab legs for the first time ever, which required a lot of work, but was very tasty. There was also suckling pig, which I tried, but couldn't get the thought of the little piggie being torn away from it's mama to have it's head served on a platter. I don't think I'll have that again.Today the conference starts and I see tables being set up outside for breakfast.Gotta go!

Monday, April 28, 2008

Eye candy. No matter where you look, there's is something truly lovely to look at. The Southern Oak Trees with their thick thick trunks, their wide open arms and weeping spanish moss hanging from each limb. It was just as I had imagined.There is something so special when you see a place and have built it up so much in your mind, and it is exactly how you had envisioned it to be...only better.Today I went back in time, to a city that has always fascsinated me. Gone With The Wind. The history of the Civil War. The Colonial Homes. The Streets. The river. The just Everything about it.C and I started off on the trolley ride and had a very good guided tour of the Historical Area. We jumped off at the River Walk and hung out there long enough to get hooked on buying artwork. Spent the rest of the day wandering about on foot going from one art gallery to the next. To tell the truth, it was a wonderful way to see Savannah---through the eyes of Its' Artists.The one downfall of the day was that the battery to my digital camera died and I didn't bring the charger. I ended up buying a disposable camera so it'll be quite interesting to see how the pictures turn out. Today I realized just how much I rely on my digital---it was a huge disappointment. I did try to take a couple of artistic angle photos, but what will actually turn out remains a mystery.Other highlights of the day:Paula Deen's restaurant and store While we didn't get there in time for reservations, we did go in to her souvenir shop. I bought a signed cookbook, and walked into the restaurant for a sniff. It smelled good, but to be honest, the buffet looked 'just OK.' The fried chicken looked better than KFC, but the Collards looked like something Mr. Mao barfed up after eating a plastic bag. Apparently, you can order off the menu, which I think would be much better plan.Well, it';s now past 1am, and tomorrow afternoon the conference starts. My sliding door is open, I can hear the Hilton Head waves crashing upon the shore. Good Night.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Blogging today from beautiful Hilton Head, South Carolina!I wish I had the ability to download some of the pictures I've taken, but suffice to say, it's very, very, VERY pretty here!Our flight was at 6:30 yesterday morning, and as you know, I'm not that technically savvy. I set my blackberry alarm for 3:50 am and went to bed. As luck would have it, my alarm did not go off, but I woke up at 4:25. WTF! It turns out that I was technically savvy enough to figure out a long time ago how to make the alarm not go off on weekends. As my flight was on Saturday morning, you guessed it...it let me sleep in. Nonetheless, I was out the door in 20 minutes and made it to the airport on time (but just!)The flight was uneventful, but very interesting flying over HH as the tide was out.We checked in, only to find out that C and I had seperate rooms, overlooking the ocean. Wow, talk about luxury! We are here for a conference, but it doesn't start until Monday afternoon so we have quite a bit of free time until then. Saturday after check in, we waited for our luggage to arrive. We waited, and waited and waited. Finally the bellhop came and asked for our car keys. (oh ya! I rented a car through hotwire.com. An economy car, with unllimited milage was $19 dollars a day. When we got to Budget, they had no economy cars left, so we got upgraded to an Impala, which is much nicer than my economy car at home!)Anyway, back to the bellhop...we gave him the keys and then realized that we had already unloaded our suitcases when we first pulled up. Then we started thinking OMG! Maybe it's a scam!. We rented a cheap car, and now the same company is going to steal it bacdk from us to make money!Hmpff. And there I was thinking what a fine way to start this leg of our trip, having to deal with the police over a stolen rental car.Anyway, when all that was cleared up (our luggage was in the room with the people we had come down with) we put on our swimmies, grabbed a margharita and headed for the beach. We dutifully turned every half an hour, and are a nice pink colour. Hey. After the winter we had, I am willing to risk some deadly sun rays for a few days!Later we went for a long walk and guess what?! There are tons of star fish and sand dollars that wash up on the shore when the tide goes out! I was so excited when I found my first one, I was jumping up and down like a five year old. Only, a few seconds later I ealized that there were many, many more.Had a wonderful dinner at a place caleed Alexander's, was back at the hotel by 9pm, and in bed by 9:30. A long, but fantastic day.today, we are spending the day in Savannah. A city I have wanted to go to since reading 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Friday, April 11, 2008

It has been a long time since I have participated in Weekend Cat Blogging. This weekend I thought I would submit a pic of all three of my little ones. Mao would still prefer if Buddy weren't around, but the Dutchess really couldn't give a crap, for some reason she can't be bothered with him, and he respects that. Buddy would desperately love to play with Mr. Mao, but that's just not going to happen. Every once in a while I can snap a picture of the three of them together, but they truly are few and far between. Since we've had Buddy I've gotten to know the neighbours quite well. Every night at 8:30 there are a bunch of us who go for our nightly dog walk. Buddy is the only boy dog and is a total chick magnet. There are two GermanSheppard's (Heidi and Bella), and a Sheppard-mix named Mary-Ann. They all LOVE Buddy! He loves to play chase, and because he is so fast, the girls are always chasing him. It's quite amusing, I really should video it. I know you'd all be captivated! ;)

The other evening we were sitting in the living room, when Greg jumped up and pointed out the window. There was a funny looking animal crossing the road and heading for the side of our house. It was a possum!

OK, as far as I know they are not common in Ontario, but I have one hiding under my backyard deck. Now, I have a soft spot for critters so I have no intention of doing anything about the little guy. In fact, I feel kind of special. I do believe that it is the first wild possum I've ever seen. (Do I sound like a city-slicker, or what?) Anyway, he can stay as long as he wants as long as he leaves my little ones alone.

I went to a candle party tonight. I didn't really want to go, but one of the Belly Dancers was having it, so I felt a little obligated. I spent $115. Money that I certainly don't have, but it felt good buying it. I think because I've been feeling like I've been scrimping for the last while, and I know that's coming to an end I feel like I can be a little frivolous. Maybe it's just the mood I'm in today as well. I stopped at Walmart on the way home because I heard that they had cute rain boots on sale for ten bucks. Well, they didn't have any left, but I ended up spending over $100. And it felt good! A lot of it was groceries, but I did throw in a top (that I didn't try on) and some bubble bath. Dog and cat treats and stuff to make a 7 layer dip that for the life of me I can't remember how to make so I bought a lot of extras. I'm going to a work gathering tomorrow night, with a group of nurses that I don't really know very well, but as their educator, I've had really positive feedback from them. I offered to bring the 7 layer dip, but I'm thinking that it can't be that hard. Worst case scenario, I'll show up with Doritos, salsa and guac.

In other news: it's Rummage Season! Tomorrow I am heading to two church bazaars, and am quite looking forward to it. There is nothing I need, but I just love other people's junk, and I'm sure I'll find something that I can use. One of the dog-walking ladies (we also all take belly-dancing classes together---so maybe I should call her one of the other Belly Dancers?!) gave me her teak bookshelf. With a little TLC, it's going to be beautiful. She replaced the shelf with those IKEA Billy bookshelves, which I totally can't believe. Oh well, my gain.

Have I talked about Belly Dancing at all? It is SO much fun. I feel like an elephant swinging my big old hips around, but it is a good way to get some exercise while having fun so you don't feel like you are exercising. This is my most favourite way to exercise. It's akin to eating something that tastes really good and is good for you. Anyway, Belly Dancing is actually very cool, and because the movements are very small, precise and isolated, I have had days where I've felt like I have done hundreds of sit-ups except I haven't, and it was fun! I would totally recommend it. Also, the music is great.

I realize that this is a bit of mish-mash but I've just been rambling off the top of my head and this is what has come out. I've had issues with my mom lately, but I think that I'm actually handling that better, which in some ways, makes it less of an issue. To make a long story short, she basically told me that she was not happy for me, she had hoped that I would do better by marrying someone who could support me. In response I said that I did have a husband who supported me. He respects me, he is my best friend, we like each other, we look out for each other...what is so wrong with that? She, of course, was focusing on the financial aspect. I should have asked her if she thought Greg would be a better person if he won the lottery? WhatEv. My mom and I then proceeded to drink a bottle of wine. Then, her friend, Ethyl called. (Pez! I forgot to tell you this! It's kind of funny!) Ethyl called, and my mom didn't want to answer the phone. I wasn't feeling any pain by this point, so I answered and talked to her. She was very nice. We didn't talk long, but she mentioned her son, Alex. I had the BIGGEST crush on Alex when I was in high school, that in truth, was mortifyingly pathetic. Alex is married to a very nice woman with a couple of kids, but I couldn't help myself but laugh and tell her what a big crush I had on him! It actually was a nice moment, because she said that Alex was a really nice man and she was very proud of him. I told her "just for fun, to tell him I say hello!" I'm sure he's going to roll his eyes. LOL!

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Spring is in the air!It's still cold outside but with the rain we've had the past two days the snow is slowly melting. On my walk with Buddy this morning, I noticed that the tulips, daffodils, and crocuses are starting to show their buds.Ahhhhh. I can't wait to get my hands dirty in the garden!

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Yesterday I eluded about our financial difficulties. Nothing too major, but I realized that we needed a tune-up when last week I went to the 'We Serve' gas station, Filled 'Er Up, and then tried to use my debit card to pay, but it was declined. Then I tried to use my credit card and IT was declined! Sucks to be me. Anyway, I left my name, licence plate and phone number with the garage and luckily I had a cheque in my wallet that was desperately asking to be cashed. I returned and tried to give the nice man a $5 tip for trusting me and you know what he said? "I think you need it more than me." And he turned down the tip!Today, I went to the same gas station and was next in line to be served when I realized that I didn't have my wallet with me! Could you imagine not being able to pay two weeks in a row???I was embarrassed last week...this week I would have been mortified. Thankfully, I was able to drive away before the attendant got to me.

A Little About Ramona

I am a 43year old "Late Bloomer" living in Toronto, Canada who found the love of my life in my late 30's. Unfortunately while I was waiting to 'grow up' my ovaries just went ahead and turned to stone. We were married in Las Vegas on 11/11, our favourite number.I am a Registered Nurse, but won't gore you with the details. There is not alot that I haven't seen, but I get queasy at the sight of my own blood.There is no real theme to this blog, but you will find lots of pictures of my cats, Mr. Mao (rhymes with Wow!) and The Dutchess. Buddy, is our 2 year old Border Collie-Whippet and the newest member to our menagerie is Laila, a Border Collie-Shepard. I have traveled a great deal in the past and am planning more budget adventures for the future.I love other people's junk and somehow always find a use for it. I have a summer trailer, and never thought I'd be Trailer Trash!I like to read and garden, and wish I were more athletic as I'm constantly battling my weight. I've been on every variation of the WW plan since 1980.I like (make that, Love!) red wine, and probably enjoy it a little too much. Did I mention I struggle with my weight?You'll find lots of pictures here, although I do not claim to be a photographer. Mostly just day-to-day stuff that catches my eye.I always thought I was fairly normal, but lately am having a few issues with depression/anxiety that are causing me to be a bit withdrawn. I'm working on changing that.You might catch a rant or two about family crap, or things that irk me, but generally, this is a pretty happy place for me.